Ten top tips for selling your home

Following a recent report of a reduction in the number of buyers visiting estate agents, the competition to sell property is stronger than ever.

Nationwide has recently commissioned a study into what buyers look for in a home, and offers these top tips to sellers:

Tidy up.it may sound like a simple concept, but a clutter-free environment can make all the difference. Over half (55%) of potential buyers say they would find an untidy house a major turn-off;

Be polite.almost 70% of buyers are most likely to be deterred by a rude seller or estate agent;

Eliminate smells.75% of people are put off by household smells made by pets or cigarettes;

Tackle DIY disasters.poor building work or DIY is a big turn off according to around 90% of potential homebuyers;

Fix those fence panels.over 80% of viewers would think twice about putting an offer in on a house with a garden that lacks privacy;

Introduce 'green' features.when given the choice between two properties of a similar size and value, the majority of homebuyers (82%) claim a house with environmentally friendly features such as solar panels, has more of an influence on their decision to buy than an attic room (68%), period features (63%) or walk-in wardrobes (62%);

Focus on the kitchen.over half (54%) of potential buyers believe this to be the most influential room when making the decision to buy;

Ditch the decking.along with Jacuzzis, decking is one of the features least likely to tempt a potential buyer;

Avoid the summer drought choose your time to sell carefully.

The summer season is traditionally slow as people are away on holiday.

Equally, during November and December, potential buyers are generally too busy preparing for Christmas to think seriously about moving;

HIPS one to watch out for this summer. From 1 August it will be a legal obligation for some home-owners to prepare a home information pack.

Katie Harper, Nationwide media relations manager, said: "Higher interest rates and the resulting reduction in new buyers visiting estate agents continue to put further pressure on homeowners who are looking to sell.

While there is no evidence to suggest that these top tips would command a higher price, sellers might find they come in useful when they do manage to encourage potential buyers to view their property."